"Don't Ask, Don't Tell"

Today, as I was reading news, I had a feeling it was not going to be a good day. Well, the bad news did not appear on my news screen or any website or TV. It was in school. I forgot today was the day that the whole school were going to dress up against “Don’t Ask Don’t Tell Policy” of the United States Armed Forces.

My stance on this issue is very clear and it consistent with IDF (Israeli Defense Forces) Gay and Lesbian policy. There is absolutely no special care given to Gay or Non-Gay soldiers. Army is not a place to celebrate your identity or your sexual orientation. Once you join an Army, you become the property of that army. At the same time, the army should not deny you any rights based on the fact that you are gay. However, army panels should not be used as a panel for special interest goals. When you join the army, you are a soldier and you will all be treated as one. That means that if other guys make fun of you, the army should not and will not prosecute anybody on your behalf because they made fun of your sexual orientation. Just like, when a unit would pick on a soldier for whatever reason (like hazing), the army should not make a special case for gay soldiers. The soldiers are all treated as one and the burden of protecting yourself in the social world of army is on the soldier.

However, that really wasn’t the reason I got upset. I mean like I said, I am sort of against this whole “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. I got upset when I saw all these Arabs guys wearing that shirt against the policy. I mean, come on man, you look at Arab countries around the globe; Gays are being executed and jailed for even being Gay. Homosexuality is forbidden in any sense or form in Islam. I never saw any of these guys forming any groups such “Arabs against Gay Treatment in Arab countries.” I honestly think that they are not sincere in their support for this group. I believe that these guys would do anything to damage or cause damage to the U.S armed forces. I know for fact majority of these guys who hate and despise this country or the armed forces of this country, are all getting Federal Assistance to even be in this school. Yet, they like to damage it in anyways possible. And it is messed up. If you are going to do it, do it right. Do it from within first and then expand to others.

By the way, when I say “you guys” I don’t mean all Arabs or Muslims. I am talking about the group of people who hate Israel passion and criticize Israel for everything they could find. These groups are also the same group who hate every thing the U.S. stands for and yet they live here. I am talking about the group of Muslims who run around condemning this country left and right and call it an evil empire!

Moshe Yehuda

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What is wrong with the Middle East?

Today, one of the most unstable regions of our mortal soil is the Middle East. There is not a single day that you do not hear something about this region in the news. This region, not only affects the daily lives of its residents, it has a global affect. It has affected many college campuses and it has been the subject of countless debates. I ask myself why? Why is this region so unstable? Why is this region so out of touch with reality?

The history proves that region has never been peaceful. This region is birth place of three powerful religions (with exception of Judaism which is not very powerful). A lot people say that the Middle East is the signature of co-existent. I say it is the clash of civilizations. This clash of civilization is not the same the one Samuel Huntington came described. I think this clash is rooted in a deeper level that goes all the way down to individual units in the society. I believe that this clash is the result of cultural teachings that is programmed in every single unit in those societies. I think since the problem of the Middle East lies within individuals, the cure rests in education. You have the educated the masses about democracy, practicing democracy in a responsible fashion, separation of religion and government, accountability in the government actions, human values, human rights, the right of the others to exist, tolerance, and many other Western values that is lacking in the Middle Eastern countries. If the education is completed, I think it would make it a lot harder to mobilize these masses. That means the support for militant ideologies will begin to diminish!

I am not introducing a new doctrine here; for years there has been countless demand within Arab societies for a better set of education, yet the ruling government has strictly opposed this plan due to the fact that it would promote democracy. Spread of democracy would mean the end of religious influence in the society, and the end of tyranny. Therefore, we have two powerful forces resisting such demand for a better education system. And so far, they have done a fantastic job in keeping Westernized education out of their societies.

This is one way to describe the situation. However, I do believe that this could be the remedy to the Middle East. The answer is still unclear to me! Anyone else has any better reason why this region cannot stabilize?

February 6th, The Unforgetable Day!

Today when I was desperately trying to finish the stupid assignment for my Civil Procedure class, I tried to write the date down on the assignment and I realized, wow! Today is February 6th! February 6th has a very special value for me because this is the date that we flew from Vienna Austria to Los Angeles CA. I always tend to remember importatnt dates that affected my life. However, if you ask me what is my mom's birthday, I am clueless! I remember December 18th was our interview with the U.S. Council in Austria.

I still remember it like it was yesterday. It was freezing, but we were so excited and at the same time a little scared. This was like 5th time we were moving, but this was it. This was no supposed to be temporary and that is why I was a little bit scared. I remember tried to sleep and I couldn’t. This was like the end of our journey and quest for a safe place to live. Then came about 3:40 am and our ride arrived, since I was the only man and even though I was 12 years old, I helped my dad carry all those big languages to the vans. As I sat in that car and the car started moving, I knew this was it! I tried to say good-bye to that old building. I was sad, another chapter of my life was over and the new one was beginning. I remember, I was thinking to myself, what’s going to happen to us? Where am I going to be in 10 years or even a year or even a month? All these uncertainties were going through my life! My sisters were crying! I was just scared! The feeling in that moment is unexplainable!

That was still nothing compare to my feelings when I sat on that KLM 747 and the pilot announced that the flight is going to Los Angeles. I remember, when the plane started moving, I told myself, “this is it! This is going to be my future!” My father turned back and said, here we go! He turned around and he said, “I went through all these for you guys to have a good future, don’t blow it!” I looked outside of the window and the as the plane was slowly moving, I promised myself that no matter what, I will make a better person of myself. I will never quit and work hard to achieve a successful life. Suddenly, I felt a little bit more relieved. I was not that scared anymore! Maybe in that second, I grew up and I just became a man, even though my girlfriend and mom don’t think I ever grew up. But I remember, I felt better.

Now, today is February 6th, many years later, I am pulling an all-nighter trying to finish this assignment. I am kind of proud of myself to be here and to have achieved this much in my life. I have three degrees from Berkeley, now I am in law school, I have traveled around the world, and I feel a lot more experienced. Even though I feel I could have done a lot better, but still, I did a lot more than many other people! All thank to my father. Both of my sisters are married with kids, my parents are enjoying a comfortable life. It cost my dad a heart attack and six or seven trips to hospital, but we do enjoy a very comfortable life.

When I remember those days, I cannot ignore the fact that I owe all these to America. If the U.S. had denied us the opportunity, who would have known where I would be now. I really do appreciate the benefit I have recieved in this country and I say "THANK YOU!"